Is Hossa on Bruins' radar?
Chiarelli 'can't comment' on any talks with winger
Could the Bruins already be talking contract with superstar winger Marian Hossa?
Asked that question last night, Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli offered little in the way of candor.
"Very good question," he responded in a terse e-mail. "But can't comment. Cheers."
It's highly possible that talks between Boston and Hossa have begun, because it has become a trend for clubs to be granted permission to speak with pending unrestricted free agents well ahead of the July 1 start of the NHL's open marketplace.
Just prior to the start of the NHL draft Friday night in Ottawa, the Maple Leafs put a deal in place with the Canadiens, allowing the Habs to talk with Toronto icon Mats Sundin about going to Montreal. Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey is expected to meet this week in Sweden with Sundin, and if the two can come to an agreement, Gainey is expected to ship a first-round draft pick to the Leafs.
Meanwhile, reports around the league yesterday had the San Jose Sharks granting permission for the Rangers to negotiate with Brian Campbell, the puck-moving defenseman whom the Sharks acquired at the February trade deadline for Steve Bernier. Rumors last night also had the Sharks granting the same permission to the Canadiens and Senators.
The Bruins worked ardently in February to acquire Hossa, who was then with Atlanta, but the Thrashers wanted Phil Kessel in the deal. Chiarelli was unwilling to part with the speedy center/forward in a deal that did not guarantee Hossa playing for the Bruins beyond last season.
Hossa, a close pal of Bruins captain Zdeno Chara, a fellow Slovakian, had a dynamic postseason. His 12 goals and 26 points played a large part in the Penguins making it to Game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals against the Red Wings.
The Penguins recently offered Hossa, 29, a long-term deal reportedly worth $50 million over seven years. The Bruins likely would not top that, but given that Chara is a good friend, and Chiarelli was Ottawa's assistant GM when Hossa played for the Senators, it's conceivable he could find Boston more to his liking than Pittsburgh.
